David Armstrong

I have written many healthcare stories, but never before have I written about my own health. I decided to do so after learning one of my drugs costs nearly $1,000 a pill and just 25 cents to make. What I found was an incredible story of discovery and exploitation. www.propublica.org/article/revl...

The momentum from dramatic improvements in cancer treatment over the past two decades is now at risk www.statnews.com/2025/03/24/t...

Who wins when a major opioid manufacturer settles federal claims of reckless behavior? The lawyers ($350 million) and company executives ($95 million in bonuses). Losers? Opioid victims (about $1,000 per victim). Read the details here - www.propublica.org/article/endo...

Enjoyed talking with @jlussenhop.bsky.social, the host of ProPublica’s new podcast “Paper Trail,’ about my reporting on how a 25-cent pill became a $100 billion drug, and my experience taking the pricey cancer medication. Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/6D6u...

The Purdue Pharma settlement somehow got even worse for victims. Tens of thousands of those who suffered from the company pushing OxyContin will get nothing. Meanwhile a company lawyer is billing at $2,935 an hour. www.propublica.org/article/purd...

I have written many healthcare stories, but never before have I written about my own health. I decided to do so after learning one of my drugs costs nearly $1,000 a pill and just 25 cents to make. What I found was an incredible story of discovery and exploitation. www.propublica.org/article/revl...

The momentum from dramatic improvements in cancer treatment over the past two decades is now at risk www.statnews.com/2025/03/24/t...

Who wins when a major opioid manufacturer settles federal claims of reckless behavior? The lawyers ($350 million) and company executives ($95 million in bonuses). Losers? Opioid victims (about $1,000 per victim). Read the details here - www.propublica.org/article/endo...

In wake of McKinsey's $650 million settlement with the government for its role advising opioid companies, read our story from nearly six years ago on how the company helped Purdue Pharma www.propublica.org/article/oxyc...